The substance, called MeTro, is injected directly on the wound and then sealed with UV light. Image credit: University of Sydney.

An innovative surgical glue developed by researchers from the United States and Australia seals wounds quickly without the need for staples or stitches.

The biomedical engineers from the University of Sydney and the United States collaborated on the development of a potentially life-saving surgical glue, called MeTro. It is a highly elastic and adhesive surgical glue that quickly seals wounds without the need for common staples or sutures could transform how surgeries are performed.

MeTro’s high elasticity makes it ideal for sealing wounds in body tissues that continually expand and relax – such as lungs, hearts, and arteries – that are otherwise at risk of re-opening. The material also works on internal wounds that are often in hard-to-reach areas and have typically required staples or sutures due to surrounding body fluid hampering the effectiveness of other sealants.